Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri enjoyed seeing his young team grow during the shortened season and the playoffs, but he believes the journey has just begun. Among the summer priorities are the NBA Draft and contract talks with Ty Lawson, JaVale McGee and Andre Miller.

After a season that featured injuries, trades and the emergence of several young players, the Nuggets have reason to smile about the future. Andre Miller is one of only three players who can become free agents this summer, giving Denver welcome stability after a busy 15 months of change.

JaVale McGee and the Nuggets gave everything they had Saturday night before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers 96-87 in Game 7 of their Western Conference playoff series. Al Harrington and Ty Lawson scored 24 points apiece as Denver nearly overcame a 16-point second-half deficit.

Nuggets rookie forward Kenneth Faried is showing no fear in his first career playoff series. By averaging a double-double (11.2 points, 10 rebounds) against the Los Angeles Lakers, he is motivating his teammates by staying strong against L.A.'s physical play.

With a cast of players who alternate starring roles, the Nuggets are a balanced team looking to put themselves in the NBA record books Saturday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. Denver can become the ninth team to overcome a 3-1 series deficit with a victory at Staples Center.

Ty Lawson fueled a fast start and finished with a career playoff-high 32 points as the Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 113-96 to force Game 7 Saturday at Staples Center. Kenneth Faried added 15 points and 11 rebounds for Denver, which once trailed 3-1 in the series.

After an inspired victory in Game 5 of their playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Ty Lawson and the Nuggets don't have the luxury of an extended celebration as the series resumes Thursday at Pepsi Center. Denver is still facing elimination while trailing the best-of-seven series 3-2.

The Nuggets avoided elimination Tuesday night with a gutsy 102-99 Game 5 win Tuesday night at Staples Center. Andre Miller had 24 points and eight assists, while fellow reserve JaVale McGee added 21 points and 14 rebounds. Los Angeles leads the series 3-2 heading into Game 6 Thursday at Pepsi Center.

The Nuggets have a tough task ahead of them as they try to become the ninth team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit. They can take the first step Tuesday night at Staples Center in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

In a pivotal Game 4, the Nuggets were unable to pull even in the series with the Los Angeles Lakers after a 92-88 loss Sunday at Pepsi Center. Danilo Gallinari scored 20 points and Andre Miller added 15 off the bnech for Denver, which trails the best-of-seven series 3-1. Game 5 is Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Even with 24 years of NBA coaching experience, Nuggets coach George Karl leaves nothing to chance. From video sessions to 200-page scouting reports, Karl and his coaching staff have spent countless hours pouring over every detail that might help them topple the Los Angeles Lakers in the postseason.

Nuggets forward Al Harrington left Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers after suffering a broken nose late in the third quarter. One of Denver's veteran leaders and most consistent players, Harrington said he plans to return for Game 4 at Pepsi Center on Sunday.

Point guard Ty Lawson set the tone by scoring 18 of his 25 points in the first half as the Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 99-84 in Game 3 at Pepsi Center on Friday night. JaVale McGee added 16 points and 15 boards for Denver, which narrowed L.A.'s series lead to 2-1.

After dropping two games in Los Angeles, the Nuggets look to get back into the their first-round playoff series against the Lakers Friday night at Pepsi Center. Denver has done a good job getting its running game going and is focused on getting out to a fast start in Game 3.

The Nuggets rallied from a 19-point third-quarter deficit but came up short in a 104-100 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Staples Center. Ty Lawson scored 25 points for Denver, which trails the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game 3 is Friday at Pepsi Center.

Nuggets play-by-play voice Chris Marlowe was impressed with forward Kenneth Faried in the rookie's postseason debut. As Marlowe points out in his running notebook from Game 1, Denver's overall youth showed a little bit at the start of the Western Conference playoffs.

After some first-game jitters, center JaVale McGee and the Nuggets spent Monday working on the necessary adjustments in advance of Game 2 of their Western Conference playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Denver is looking to gain a split before heading back to Pepsi Center.